This week’s episode includes the latest from Clifffs, The Retinas, Skyler, The Ellipsis, and the Blue Soap Music Blue Soap Box Top 10 in independent tracks.
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Kenny Roby and 6 String Drag Premiere Brasstown (The Week in #Indie Segment)
Alt-Country has always been a guilty pleasure of mine, being a guitarist myself. So when I see such a blast from the past as Kenny Roby and 6 String Drag, I get goosebumps. The band originally formed in 1993 and, essentially, disappeared sometime in the late ’90s. But, as of 2014, they are back! With one reissue already under their belt in the form of their album ‘High Hat’, they keep the reenergized momentum going with another upcoming release, this time with unreleased material in the form of ‘The Jag Sessions: Rare & Unreleased 1996-1998’.
The sessions really capture the raw energy of the band and that controlled gritty feeling with dirty slide guitars, raspy brass, and a country swagger only found in the purest of traditionalists. This will be released in only 500 copies of special vinyl so be warned, quantities are limited.
The album will be available from RSD-participating record stores on April 13 as an official Record Store Day release. The 12″ red vinyl edition of ‘The Jag Sessions’ also comes with a download card featuring two bonus tracks not included on vinyl.
About 6 String Drag
Schoolkids Records has announced the new 6 String Drag album ‘The Jag Sessions: Rare & Unreleased 1996-1998’, which will be released especially for Record Store Day. This will be issued on limited edition 12” red vinyl with just 500 copies to be made available.In the mid to late ‘90s, Kenny Roby and 6 String Drag stood out as pioneers of the nascent alt-country movement. After a leaving a mark on this, as well as the Americana / No Depression scene, the Carolinas quartet essentially broke up.
The band’s second record ‘High Hat’ was produced by Steve Earle and Ray Kennedy and was released in 1997 on Earle’s Warner Brothers imprint label E-Squared Record. This album remains an undisputed classic of its era.
In early 2014, 6 String Drag reformed with the ‘High Hat’ line-up and recorded their 2015 comeback record ‘Roots Rock & Roll’ too much fan excitement and critical acclaim.
In January 2018, the band reissued a 20th-anniversary reissue of ‘High Hat’ on CD, vinyl and digitally, following up with their fourth full-length studio record ‘Top of The World’ in March 2018. This album features 6 String Drag founding members and frontmen Kenny Roby and Rob Keller, along with new members Dan Davis and Luis Rodriguez. Both releases are available through Schoolkids Records through Redeye Worldwide Distribution.
‘The Jag Sessions’ album is a collection of unreleased rarities and record quality demos recorded by Byron McCay at Jag Studios in Raleigh, NC between 1996 and 1998. Previously, these recordings have only been circulated among fans and digitally as low flying CD releases for sale at shows.
This album represents the first time any versions of this collection and the songs found here are available on vinyl. Some of the collection are songs originally recorded for Columbia Records in 1996 for a demo deal with this label, but that ultimately never came to fruition. The songs from 1998 were recorded as pro demos and were intended for release as a new EP following ‘High Hat’.
Outside of the four 6 String Drag albums, Kenny Roby has released four critically acclaimed solo LPs – ‘Mercury’s Blues’ (1999), ‘Rather Not Know’ (2003), ‘The Mercy Filter’ (2006), and ‘Memories & Birds’ (2013), in addition to various compilations.
“The world’s a better place with 6 String Drag in it”
– Steve Earle“So thrilled to have 6 String Drag back again. They’re as great as ever. Like reconnecting with a long lost friend”
— Patterson Hood (Drive-By Truckers)“A raw, raucous take on alt-Americana, a sound hard to put your finger on but one that wraps comfortably around your ears while it rocks your ass off”
— No Depression“In their original run in the ’90s, 6 String Drag was regarded as a better-than-average alt-country act; with Roots Rock ‘n’ Roll and now Top of the World, they’ve shown that they’re more than that in their second act, and this is mature, heartfelt, and resonant rock & roll that’s also plenty of fun”
— AllMusic (4 Stars)“A pair of deeply satisfying albums – including Top of the World, released on Schoolkids Records – that sound as though the band never went anywhere”
— Rolling Stone Country“Rootsy, authentic and heartfelt tunes with great harmonies and just enough of an Americana vibe to draw in those who claim not to dig rock. Vocal reminiscent of early Elvis Costello, and more jangle than twang”
— The MusoscribeLINKS:
http://www.6stringdrag.com
https://6stringdrag.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/6stringdrag
https://twitter.com/6stringdrag
https://soundcloud.com/kenny-roby
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4WvOP47oMCIksgyMLpiGNB?si=aMLIWwNXSFWZWNa9xlkqUQ
https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/6-string-drag/924629764 -
From Carbon Premiere ‘Petty Tom’ Single (The Week in #Indie Segment)
From Carbon are an Indie band from Manchester, England. Formed 5 years ago, the band has developed a creative sound and a great live reputation.
They released their debut album ‘Wealth’ in 2014 to critical acclaim and led a UK theatre tour as main support for Heather Small (M People). A song from their debut album called ‘Demons’ also featured in the movie ‘Strangeways Here We Come’ which was released in 2018.
On March 30th, 2019 the band are releasing their follow up album ‘Existence’ ( Limited number of physical copies) produced by Chris Oliver with a very special album launch at The Breadshed in Manchester, which will include a collaboration set with Joe Duddell and his classic ensemble. (Joe has worked with legendary acts including Elbow, James, The Charlatans, and New Order).
The first single from Existence ‘Petty Tom’ is released digitally on 1st March 2019
From Carbon are donating 10% of all physical album sales to ‘Musicians Against Homelessness’ who will also be promoting the album launch.
LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/FromCarbon
http://www.fromcarbon.co.uk
https://twitter.com/FromCarbon -
Cabinet of Millionaires Release ‘Theresa, Vol. 3’ (The Week in #Indie Segment)
Cabinet of Millionaires gives multiple doses of political commentary with their new single(s) titled ‘Theresa’. With British Prime Minister Theresa May stepping down on June 7, this set of singles couldn’t have been timed better.
Each version of the track is unique in its own right as we get samples of EDM, Dance, and Grind from different producers lending their ear. While I gravitate more towards the original, there is something for everyone with the beat sustaining in each version and the hook redressed and sounding good as well.
On June 7, ‘Theresa, Vol. 3’ will be available for digital download across online stores such as Apple Music and streaming platforms like Spotify. It can already be obtained via Bandcamp with all profits going towards supporting food banks.
About Cabinet of Millionaires
British electronic act Cabinet of Millionaires presents the new EP ‘Theresa, Vol. 3’, a rather politically-charged song set to release via Bandcamp on June 7, the very day that Theresa May said she would stand aside as British prime minister. The general release date for other online platforms is June 14.Hailing from Huddersfield, Cabinet of Millionaires bring a scathing attack on the austerity policies of the UK’s Conservative Party government, referencing the Windrush scandal, the Grenfell Tower tragedy, and failure to take in enough refugees (whilst selling arms), not to mention the dismantling of the country’s National Health Service.
Band spokesman Dave C said, “Theresa’s resignation speech was painful. Austerity is clearly NOT over and the Government’s lack of response to Grenfell was actually pretty shocking, NOT something to be proud of. We hope you like the package. It’s honest. We’re not saying we are political because it’s fashionable all of a sudden. The lyrics are straight to the point. No sitting on the fence. We want the Tories out and a general election NOW!”
Featuring resplendent punchy beats, sci-fi loony tune hooks, dub basslines and gospel-tinged soul-rock vocals from Pat Fulgoni, this five-song release includes the original version of this track, along with several remixes, including from USUK, a collaboration between Leeds-based award-winning Allen & Heath sponsored DJ/producer Mark EG and Chad Stegall, an American piano composer and synth addict.
Renowned producer Steve Whitfield (The Cure, The Mission, Terrorvision, Klammer) also delivers a lush Donna Summer-meets-Underworld dance remix, in addition to contributing guitar on the original version of ‘Theresa’. Zion Train’s remix of Theresa is a brutal takedown of Theresa May and her Government’s austerity program.
Whether you call it agit-house, electro-rock or social disco, Cabinet Of Millionaires is an uncompromising project with a ballsy soulful political message and infectious grooves. According to Eddie Gordon of BBC Essential Mix, this is “the kind of dance music that DJ’s like Andy Weatherall would turn people onto or the Talking Heads would delight the New York uber-cool clubs with”.
The video for the ‘Theresa’ original mix is inspired. Shot in and around Manchester, it stars Clay Whitter playing a homeless busker who tries to survive on the streets by busking with a useless Theresa May puppet!
Prior to 2019, Cabinet of Millionaires released the singles ‘Satan’s Horses’, ‘Serve Me’ and ‘Cabinet Of Millionaires’, receiving radio support from the likes of Eddy Temple Morris and Nemone (BBC Radio 6), as well as various American college radio stations.
Vocalist Pat Fulgoni has a fantastic raw soul voice. He sings across a wide range of genres including his own live blues band, even massive Drum & Bass artists like Camo & Krooked, Teddy Killerz, Bcee, Logistics, and The Vanguard Project. Technimatic’s 2019 single “Sometimes” has been hammered by Annie Mac and Rene La Vice on BBC Radio 1. He’s toured the planet with various acts from the USA to China and throughout Europe. His activism began in the 1990s when he collaborated with Tony Benn MP and organized the ‘No Compromize’ CD against the introduction of tuition fees in the UK.
Live CoM dates have included shows for Love Music Hate Racism and the Peoples Assembly Against Austerity, even being incorporated into a play (theatre) down the road from Conservative Party Conference and live appearances on official demonstration stages in Manchester and Downing St, London.
LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/CabinetOfMillionaires
https://cabinetofmillionaires.bandcamp.com
https://www.instagram.com/cabinetofmillionaires
https://www.youtube.com/cabinetofmillionaires
https://twitter.com/cabinetmillion